Around the time of the Republican National Convention, a major confrontation over abortion took place in Houston. Those favoring the present state of legalized abortion sought the help of almost anyone who agreed with their cause to help in their opposition to those against abortion on demand. The most interesting aspect of the whole confrontation to me was the groups lining up to support the pro-abortion crowd. Even tax dollars were put to work to support the pro-abortion cause and keep the Planned Parenthood's abortion clinics (partly funded by United Way) free from everyone except those women who seek to kill their unborn child.

Two groups called "Act Up" and "Queer Nation" (their name, not mine) announced that they would help the pro-abortion forces (misnamed as "pro-choice"). Both of these groups favor the free expression of the homosexual lifestyle. Of course, this connection between the pro-abortion and pro-homosexuality groups is nothing new. The so-called "National Organization of Women" (NOW) has repeatedly expressed their support for abortion and homosexual rights. In addition to the above group, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has expressed support for the pro-abortion forces in Houston. The ACLU has gone to court on behalf of every ungodly practice in existence, including homosexuality and abortion.

Anytime that I found myself aided in a cause with moral implications by a group of people favoring gross immorality as defined by God, I would take a second look at my position. Imagine you;,self in a crowd with a group calling themselves "Queer Nation" standing on one side while the ACLU stood on the other side as you rallied behind the NOW banner to uphold a common principle. If that is not enough to make you sick, then you are too far gone to be helped! If God still displayed his wrath by sending fire from heaven, I would suggest keeping your distance from that crowd.

The obvious reason for all of these groups banding together is that they have common ground. They all deny the Bible truths showing the sinfulness of the actions in which they are engaged. As the old saying goes, "Birds of a feather flock together." The wise man wrote of the plea that evil people always have to one another - "Let us all have one purse" (Prov. 1:14). The same holds true in our time. The forces of evil will always use their combined strength to oppose those exposing their evil.

The Evil of Homosexuality

Well into my teenage years, I had never heard the word "homosexuality." Today, it is difficult to go through a single day without hearing about it in some way. The "homosexual rights" advocates have brought the topic out of the closet and into the forefront of discussion. In Houston and other large cities across the nation, homosexuals and lesbians even have a day for parades to "celebrate" their "pride" in their practice (see Prov. 29:23; 16:18).

They have political action groups to advance their cause. There are "support groups" funded by tax dollars on various college campuses across the nation. Whether it be the protests for inclusion in "spousal insurance" on par with "straight" couples, or the attempt by various denominations to "ordain" homosexuals into "the clergy," the debate is increasingly heard.

While the debate is raging, there is an active effort to portray homosexuality in a positive light. Its practitioners are rarely termed "sodomites" anymore. The new word is "gay," a word which before its recent abuse referred to one who was light-hearted and cheerful, not limp-wristed and sinful. The present attempt is to redefine homosexuality as an alternate lifestyle rather than a practice of sin. Our children are increasingly told that negative views towards homosexuals are evidence of bigotry on a par with racial prejudice.

The entertainment industry has played a significant role in attempting to transform public attitudes towards homosexuality. The movies and television shows which depict homosexuality do not view it as a case of immorality, but of "civil rights." They realize that they have a public relations problem with which to deal and they are doing their best to change popular opinion. Newsweek (July 20, 1992, p. 55) revealed a study comparing the values of Hollywood to the national average. When asked whether they believed homosexual acts were immoral, only 20 percent of those in Hollywood answered "yes" versus 76 percent of the rest of the nation. Given the previous success of Hollywood at changing public values and the low morals of our society, we dare not underestimate the impact such a campaign will have in coming years.

Though our society may be bombarded with efforts to reprogram our values, God's standard has not changed. His values are the same "yesterday, today, and forever" (Heb. 13:8). That standard of holiness is an expression of God's character and his character cannot change. What does God tell us in his word about homosexuality. Does he view it as an alternate lifestyle or as a practice of sin?

Leviticus 20:13 - If a man lies with a male as he lies with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination. They shall surely be put to death. Their blood shall be upon them.

Leviticus 18:22 - You shall not lie with a male as with a woman. It is an abomination.

Deuteronomy 23:17 - There shall be no prostitute of the daughters of Israel, neither shall there be a sodomite of the sons of Israel.

1 Kings 14:24; 15:11f - . . . and there were also sodomites in the land: they did according to all the abominations of the nations which Jehovah drove out before the children of Israel. (Later when Asa put away the sodomites by the death penalty commanded in the law, God approved of the cleansing of such immorality.) And Asa did that which was right in the eyes of Jehovah, as did David his father. And he put away the sodomites out of the land, and removed all the idols that his fathers had made.

Romans 1:26-27,32 - For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due . . . who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.

1 Corinthians 6:9-10 - Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.

God's attitude towards homosexuality is plain - he abhors it! No amount of Hollywood redefinition or changes of terminology will change his mind on the subject. The socalled "Gay and Lesbian Political Caucus" will not manage to get God's law condemning sodomy to be overturned. All of the denominations on the face of the earth may vote to accept homosexuals into their fellowship, but God's standard will remain unchanged. God will not tolerate one to practice homosexuality and still approve him. It is just that simple. Neither will he tolerate those who give comfort to those who practice homosexuality by excusing or approving it.

The Evil of Abortion

We have already seen the biblical condemnation of homosexuality. The Bible's opposition to abortion is just as plain to see.

The Bible speaks of the child within the womb in the same terms as the child out of the womb. Luke speaks of the "babe" (Gk. brephos) leaping within the womb of Elizabeth (Lk. 1:41, 44). The same word (Gk. brephos) is used to describe the baby Jesus as "the babe wrapped in swaddling cloths" and "the babe lying in a manger" (Lk. 2:12, 16). The child within Elizabeth was not called a tissue of the mother's body, but a "son" (Lk. 1:36). A son (male in gender) could not be correctly represented as a part of the mother's (female in gender) body. When did he become a son? The text says she "conceived a son" (Lk. 1:36). Therefore, a distinct life began at the point of conception.

There is nothing difficult to understand about the Bible's teaching in reference to the beginning of human life. Neither is there any difficulty in understanding the Bible's teaching about the unlawful taking of human life. It is termed murder and the Bible says, "You shall not murder" (Exod. 20:13).

No wonder these forces promoting homosexuality and abortion stick together. They have a similar background in violating God's plain law! In the New Testament, homosexuals and murderers are said to come from the same mind set . Please read and examine Romans 1:18-32.

The passage says that God's wrath is revealed against all ungodliness and unrighteousness. How did they get in that shape? The following steps are mentioned:

(1) They denied God (vv. 19-21).

(2) They became vain in their reasonings (v. 21).

(3) Their foolish hearts were darkened (v. 21).

(4) They professed their wisdom while they became fools (v. 22).

(5) They made their own ideas into "gods" through idolatry (v. 23).

(6) God gave them up to vile passions such as uncleanness and homosexuality (vv. 24-27).

(7) They refused to have God in their knowledge (v. 28).

(8) God gave them over to a debased mind to do those things which are not fitting (vv. 28-32).

The text does say people of that kind of mind will be involved in various sins. Among the sins listed is something called "without natural affection." If there is a term which aptly describes the mind of one who would seek to rip apart the child within her womb by abortion, "without natural affection" is that term.

Our nation needs to wake up and see the direction we are headed and the kind of creatures leading us down that path. More importantly, brethren need to be aware of the truth on these issues. When I go in meetings, I am coming across brethren in greater frequency who see nothing wrong with abortion. One was a card carrying NOW and ACLU member who supported abortion! It just makes me wonder how long it will be before I meet a member of the church who is a member of "Queer Nation." Sin works that way (2 Tim. 3:13).

Guardian of Truth XXXVI: 24, pp. 746-747
December 17, 1992